You might wonder why I bothered to realize a physical disc at all, given that CDs are going the way of the buffalo, supplanted by digital everything. But for the pro musician, not having at least a few discs around is not good: despite the fact that most people download digital, CDs are still sold to some and the CD is also a business calling card to many promoters.

However, there ARE ways to make the physical CD with less of a trash and carbon footprint. I chose Oasis CD manufacturing because of their green credentials. The CD cover of "Blame It On The Dog" was made from Green Forestry Practices Board which uses a minimum of 10% recycled material. The art work is printed using 100% say inks. This CD is NOT in a plastic jewel box: it is in an "eco-wallet"

Now, I did look at some much greener alternatives from several different Green Packaging sites. And I admit that there are many creative ideas. But I was not ready to give up the aesthetics of a more traditional color cover. Since I was only planning to make 500 copies, as opposed to mylast three albums where the smallest run you could make was 1000, I figured I would be saving some energy there.

But then there is the problem the CD itself. What do you do with that?

One such place is theCD Recycling Center of America. You send them your old CDs (and plastic jewel cases) They in turn send everything their partner facility on the west coast that houses specialty proprietary equipment.

This equipment then processes the discs back to a clear resin, which is then sold to plastics manufactures that can manufacture new items from recycled plastic resinmThe plastic is generally used for the automotive and building materials industries. Take a look around your car and home; you probably have items that were made from recycled plastic right there!

Other places that take old CDs and media I know of (and have used myself) are: